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An interview with Adrienne Barbeau

 

I’m really trying hard to to go all squeeing fan-girl here. Wanna know why? Adrienne Barbeau gave us a really awesome interview!!

You might know Adrienne Barbeau from films like The Fog, Swamp Thing, Escape from New York, and TV shows Dexter, Carnivale, and most recently, General Hospital. She’s done tons of voice work on cartoons, video games, and movies, and she’s continually adding to her resume!

Her first book There are Worst Things I Could Do released in 2007, and since then she’s published two vampire novels set in Hollywood (I LOVE them, and I don’t give out raving reviews often!).

Anyway, so we were offered the chance to talk to Ms. Barbeau a little bit about her life and her awesome varied career. I’m excited to be able to share this opportunity with all you faithful followers of Rites of Romance. Enjoy!

 

You’ve done so much in your life! You’ve starred in television, movies, voice-overs, musicals, and plays over the years. What made you decide to try your hand at writing?
 
It’s hard to explain without sounding like a nut case, but I’ll try.  In 1998 I lost my best friend to breast cancer.  She was a film editor and we’d met on the first day of pre-school for my older son, Cody.  In 2002, on the first day of pre-school for my younger boys, I met a woman who looked just like my deceased friend.  She was a film editor and she had breast cancer.  It was such a bizarre occurrence that I asked her out for coffee to get to know her better.  During our conversation, she mentioned a writing class she had attended.  I knew immediately that I was supposed to take that class.  I’d never written before, except for myself in a daily journal, and I’d never thought about writing for anyone else to read, but I believe my dead girlfriend was telling me that was what I was supposed to do next.
 
So, of all the things to write about, why did you choose vampires?
 
A female vampire gave me the opportunity to write the kind of character I’ve been playing in my acting career since I first did Rizzo in the original Broadway production of Grease.  I tend to get cast as the strong, ballsy, take-no-prisoners kind of gal.  What could be stronger than a vampire?  
 
Are the characters in your books based on real people (other than the obvious!)?
 
There’s a lot of me in Ovsanna, or a lot of me the way I’d like to be.  And of course, you’ll recognize Tom Atkins from all his film, television, and stage work.  And I’ve got Orson Welles, and Charlie Chaplin, Tyrone Power, Mary Pickford and other stars as the Vampyres of Hollywood.  As for the less obvious ‘roles’ – I think you could say yes.  They say “write what you know” and what I know are the denizens of Hollywood, or their types, at least.
 
Did you find yourself doing a lot of research into the mythology of your villain, and the undead actors?
 
I did a lot of research when I was deciding which well-known actors would work as vampires.  I wanted my choices to be as logical as possible.  Since vampires don’t age much, well, mine don’t, at least, it wouldn’t work to use a famous actor who’d died in his seventies or eighties.  And I read everything I could about vampire and werewolf mythology.  I found myself thinking, “well, no, I can’t write that because a vampire only does such and such” – as if the encyclopedic information was scientifically based and not mythology! 
 
So far, how does your writing career compare to your acting/singing career? Looking back, would you have started writing earlier in your career had you any idea how fun and productive it would be?
 
Well, acting comes easiest to me, probably because I’ve been doing it since I was 15.  And I love it, I always will.  Singing, not so much.  I love to sing, but it definitely takes second place to acting.  And once I started writing, all thoughts of performing my club act just disappeared.  I’m not sure I think of writing as fun, but it’s satisfying, and a way for me to create on my own, without being dependent on anyone else to give me the opportunity. 
 
Do you think the fans of your acting have and will follow your writing?
 
I hope so.  I know when I see something written by someone I’m familiar with I’m more inclined to at least pick it up and read the inside cover.  And when they find out it’s satirizing the movie industry, they might be more inclined to think I know what I’m talking about.
 
Do you think your roles in unusual shows like Dexter and Carnivale have inspired your writing? By the way, I loved Ruthie!
 
I loved Ruthie, too.  What a fantastic role in a brilliant series.  That was one of my all time favorite jobs, for so many reasons, not the least of which was the writing.  And you’ll definitely find Ruthie’s influence in Love Bites.  If it weren’t for Ruthie, I doubt SuzieQ would be a snake dancer.  And Dick Nixon, her diamond back boa, is a dead ringer for the one I danced with in Carnivale.  
 
You’ve earned the title of ‘scream queen’ over the years. Do your experiences in horror films reflect in your Vampyres of Hollywood series? How cool is it to know that horror greats like George Romero and Rob Zombie have read your Vampyres books and like them?
 
It’s incredibly cool!  I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to hear from George and Rob that they honestly loved the books!  Remember, writing is a new journey for me and I truly didn’t know what the response to Love Bites would be.  It’s the first novel I’ve written on my own and, although my memoir was a best-seller, writing fiction is a whole other animal.  Rob was one of the first people to read Love Bites and when he raved over it, I began to believe that maybe I’d done okay.
 
And yes, since my lead vampire is a ‘scream queen’ in her daily life, you can be certain I drew shamelessly from my experiences in Hollywood.  
 
How big of a thrill was it to see your first book hit the LA Times bestsellers list?
 
Right up there on par with giving birth to my three boys!  Well, maybe a little less, but you get the idea.
 
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
 
If I’m on a deadline, I write anywhere:  at the beauty salon, riding in the car, by the hotel pool on a family vacation, and most often, sitting in my car in the parking lot of the soccer field while I’m waiting for my boys to finish practice.
 
What does your family think of your writing?
 
My husband is my biggest supporter.  My kids could care less.
 
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
 
That I could do it at all!   
 
Do you have any advice for other writers, both ‘newbies’ and old-hat?
I really don’t.  I’m way too new at this to be telling anyone else what to do.
 
Can you tell us a little about your latest release or upcoming books? We’d love to hear what’s coming next!
 
I just joined the cast of General Hospital and I haven’t had a minute to settle down to think about what I might write next.  A lot of people are asking for the third book in the series and I do love writing Ovsanna, so that’s a definite possibility.  Maybe Vampyres of Daytime!

Vicious Circle by Linda Robertson

Title: Vicious Circle

Author: Linda Robertson

Publisher: Juno Books

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-4391-5428-1

Release Date: July 2009

Format: Print

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novel

Rating: Recommended Read

Reviewer: GJM

Persephone Alcmedi is a witch. When her friend Lorrie is murdered and leaves behind a young daughter, Persephone is manipulated by Vivian, the high priestess of the local coven, into taking a contract to kill the killer. Little does Persephone know that she’s being set up to go up against Goliath Kline, who just happens to be a powerful vampire. As if that’s not enough, master vampire Menessos becomes involved when Persephone finds herself in possession of his property, property he wants back at any cost.

When Persephone asks one of local werewolves who kennels in her basement during the full moon to do a background check on Goliath, it leads to Thea being critically injured when Goliath takes exception to someone poking their nose in his business. When the hospital won’t treat her because she’s a werewolf Persephone takes her home to look after her. Some of the local werewolves decided to stay at the house to help out. So now Persephone has a house full of werewolves– one who has a major crush on her, Lorrie’s young daughter Beverly who has been abandoned by her guardian and dumped on Persephone’s doorstep and her grandmother who has recently moved in with her after the assisted care home turned out to be a bad idea.

Oh and did I mention 2 ticked off vampires that turn up with their minions to cause havoc?

This book has it all it’s a paranormal readers wet dream: witches, werewolves, vampires and minions. Written with a witty style that will have you laughing in places—it’s a real page turner. Ms Robertson has obviously spent a lot of time on research and it shows. This is without a doubt one of the best paranormal books I’ve read in a while.  Refreshing and very witty, Ms Robertson earns a place on my must buy list.

Destruction of an Innocent by MArtha McBryar

 

Title: Destruction of an Innocent (Tease Dark Tarot)

Author: Martha McBryar

Genre: Dark fantasy

Publisher: Tease Publishing LLC

Buy now URL: www.allromanceebooks.com

Reviewer: Dianne Pearson

Rating: 3 lyres

 

 

 

In Destruction of an Innocent, a young werewolf is turned into a vampire and must protect her sister from forces that threaten to destroy the entire preternatural world. Will she be able to keep her sister safe without revealing herself or the act of betrayal that has left her damned for eternity?

 

Kylie was a happy, peaceful werewolf until a scorned lover in possession of a goddess-created scepter killed her and turned her into a vampire. Because her sister is sworn to kill hybrids and the undead, Kylie goes into hiding. Over a few hundred years, she keeps an eye on her sister and tries to solve the mystery of how to destroy the mythical scepter. She discovers deeper conspiracies that involve family members.

 

It’s not a bad story, overall. I think some of the editing could have been tweaked. Lots of run-on sentences that could have been cut in half and been easier to read. The characterization was good, although the setting was a little blurry and had to pin point for a while. The writing itself is strong. I have the feeling this could have been a little more epic. I’m not sure why the author limited it to such a short story. Anime movies like Vampire Hunter D and Blood: The Last Vampire came to mind as I read this. It’s a rather dark story and the characters develop nicely. It’s pace is a little slow, which makes me think it would be better as a longer story than a short one. The ending is slightly disappointing, since there isn’t really any closure to any of the situations.

 

Overall, it’s a good story. Another great addition to the Tease Dark Tarot line-up!

In the Shadow of the Selkie by M. A. duBarry

 

 

 

Title-In the Shadow of the Selkie

Author-M.A. duBarry

Publisher-Samhain

Reviewer-Penny Ash

Buy now-http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/in-the-shadow-of-the-selkie

Rating- 2 LYRES

 

Born to protect Selkies, Lady Theodosia Barrett is sent to find a Selkie skin by the evil Queen of the Dark Fin-Folk.

 

King Roane Cu Mara is a Selkie vampire and sets out to find out why Theo tried to kill him.

 

Theo gets more than she bargained for when she gives in to the evil Queen and goes hunting a Selkie skin. She meets Roane and to get away from him uses her skills as a vampire hunter to stake him. He doesn’t die and shows up later to claim Theo as his bride.

 

Together they fight the evil Queen Dubheasa to save the Selkies and Theo’s family in this tale of desire and jealousy.

 

I will admit a Selkie vampire is something I haven’t seen before, and I’ve been studying the Fae folk for over 30 years. I’ll also admit this is where the author lost me, stretching my willing suspension of disbelief a wee bit too far. I also found it hard to believe that someone born to protect Selkies apparently didn’t know diddly squat about them. I was disappointed in the sex scenes as well, not finding them sexy at all.

 

Another thing that seriously disappointed me in the story was the fact the author felt she just had to throw in the vampire stuff. As if Selkies weren’t fascinating enough on their own. It makes me wonder just how much research into Selkies, Fae Folk, and Irish folklore the author actually did.